Window cleaner



Nov. 6, 1928.

C. A. HOFF WINDOW CLEANER Filed March 10, 1927 INVENTOR. CHE srsz H0 FF By [:4 W8

' ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 6, I928.

UNITED STATES PATENT FF F CHESTER A. HOFF, or AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR To THE AKRoiv-LAMrcoMPANY; or

AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION. or orrro. i

wmnow CLEANER.

Application filed. March 10, 1927. Serial Ito. 174,208.

This invention relates to devices for clean.- ing windows or the like, the particular object of the invention being to combine in a single implement, a sponge or swab for the application of a cleaning liquid, suchwater, and a wiper or plurality of wipers or squeegees for the removal of the liquid. The entiredevice is arranged and combined upon a simple, effective holder capable of usc either by hand or upon a: pole to reach remote windowsor portions of windows. One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple clamping device for thesponge and a simple clamping device for holding the plurality of wipers so that one or the other may be used, each wiper serving as a means for clamping the other in position. Large and small wipers may therefore be mounted upon a single appliance so that a change may be made without difliculty. This is a valuable feature of the invention as it enables the workman to use the same device for cleaning large or small windows, mirrors or the like.

The device has other advantages permitting the housewife to wash windows effectively without placing her hands in the water. The holder may be quickly changed from a hand to a pole. It may be used for washing and polishing with equal effectiveness and is properly balanced between one side of the device carrying the sponge or swab and the other side the driers or Squeegees. It may also be taken apart readily for cleaning or replacing either of the instrumentalities.

In the drawings in which the preferred form of the invention is shown:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device;

Figure 2 is a side view;

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Figure l; and

Figure 4 is a cross section on the line 44 of Figure 1.

The device comprises a hollow, preferably tubular handle 1, which may be grasped in the hand or may be received over the end of a stick or pole. Near the upper end of the handle is a nut 2, which is fixed in position by crimping the handle as at 3-3 on either side thereof. 1

The upper portion of the device comprises a main supporting plate 5 which is provided with a narrow central or waist portion through which is stamped an aperture 6.

One sideof the central plate is widened to shape and having its inner narrow end bent downwardly to form a flange which rests upon the top of the central plate. A bolt is rigidly secured in the clamping plate near the flange 10 and passes through the hole 6. and into engagement with the nut 2.

Betweenthe outer ends 7 and 9 isreceived the sponge orswab 14 which-is here shown as a strip of sponge rubber, the ends of the plates being turned downwardly to afford a better grip upon the sponge rubber. It will be noted thatas the handle 1 is rotated upon the bolt the plate 8 is drawn toward the central plate rocking upon the part 10 as a fulcrum and thereby securely gripping the sponge.

The wipers or squeegees which are two in number are shown at 15 and 16, the former being a short wiper and the latter a longer wiper for narrow or wide surfaces. As the device is shown the short wiper is in position and the longer wiper in reserve. Each wiper consists of a strip of flexible rubber 17 having a narrow working edge and a heavier rear portion which is received within a metal backing strip 20, the edges of which are pressed together to grip the rubber.

In order to hold the wiper in place the central plate is formed at its outer extremity with two spaced, angularly offset fingers 21 which are struck upwardly from the central. plate. Above the central plate is mounted a squeegee clamping plate 22 which is formed with two spaced angular clamping fingers 24 which correspond to the finger 21 but are oppositely positioned with respect thereto. It will also be observed that the fingers 21 and 24 are arranged in alternation.

The plate 22 is pivoted near the extremity of the central plateby means of an up wardly extending angular tongue 25 struck upwardly from the stationary plate 5 and passed througl'i a hole 26 on the plate 22, and by a downwardly extending angular tongue 27 struck out from the pivoted clamping plate and projecting through a hole 28 on the stationary plate 5. This arrangement permits a. limited working action of the plate 22 to permit the jaws formed by the fingers 21 and 24 to open sufficiently to release the Wiper held therein, it being noted that the jaws are shaped so as to fit the'back ingstrip when clamped together. When the device is assembled the parts 5 and-22 can-r not be separated from'one another. I M

The inner end of the pivoted clamp plate is providedwith a locking extensionfBO .the stationary plate vThe construetionis such that pressure niust be applied tothe plate 22 to cause the jaws 32 to open sufficiently toypermit the insertion'of the idle wiper, but uponrelease of the pressure the springy eharact-er' of themetal in* the plate, aided somewhat by the rubber in the wiper in position, eausesthe'plate to exert a 'con- .and. permit replacement or interchange.

Vhile the deseription and drawing have been made quite specific 1t lSflpPfLI'EIll? that the invention issubjeet to change and IDOCll- -fieati0n withinthe scope of the claim when fairly interpreted in View applicable thereto. i v "What is claimed is: A device for the purposes set forth comprising,- a stationary plate having a jaw upon its outer-end, a. plate pivoted inter mediate its ends upon'the stationary plate, a jaw upon one end of the plate adapted to cooperate with the firstnamed j aw to clamp a wiper'strip, and a secondary jaw upon the other end of "pivoted plate adapted to seeperate with the stationary plate tohold a locking strip or wedge for securing the first named jaws in clamping position. 1 CHESTER 'A."HOI F.

of the prior art 

